ABILENE, Texas - The UT Dallas track & field teams opened the first day of the 2023 American Southwest Conference Championships with a pair of first place finishes at Elmer Gray Stadium Thursday.

Graduate student Trent Sakakini defended his title in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, winning the event by nearly 16 seconds in 9:42.92. 

The Comets closed out the day by taking the top two places in the 10,000 meter run. Junior Devan Bailey, who won the event in 2022, became a two-time champion with a time of 33:59.53. Senior Griffin Davis, the 2021 event winner, was just behind in 34:16.19. Joseph Kirby also scored points in the 10K in 34:58.44 and a sixth place finish.

For the UTD women, freshman Abby Valdez placed fifth in the 10K in 47:16.71, scoring four points.

Hannah Edwards took 10th place with a javelin throw of 27.39 meters (89 ft.-10 in.). 

After day one, the Comet men sit in second place with 31 points, behind McMurry's 55. The women are in seventh place with four points.

Friday's action will start with field events at 2 p.m. and track events at 5 p.m.

Results